bryan debarbieris
OMG, best sandwiches in Chicago. Al's big beef, hot peppers, extra provolone cheese & dunked in gravy. It will melt in your mouth. You have to eat it at the restaurant if you get it dunked to get maximum potential. Try it, you won't regret it.
Vince Darrigo
Al's #1 Italian Beef was the top food tourism stop on my list for this long Chicago weekend, and it did not disappoint! I always order mine dry with the gravy and hot giardiniera on the side. Doing this here got me a whole cup of gravy to dip/drizzle as I saw fit. I don't eat plants but I LOVE drizzling the hot oil into these sandwiches and dipping the perfect fries in it. My friend's combo sandwich (with polish sausage added) was reported to be equally satisfying.
I used to beeline for Portillo's every time I visit Chicago, but Al's has them beat on fries and giardiniera oil sure, while the beef I would say is pretty equivalent. Especially since we got two Portillo's locations in Florida recently, that opens up many more new Chicago food trials each visit. Highly recommend you swing by here!
g gerl
After more than 30 years since a kid visiting chi finally got hand on a Italian beef... hot and sweet peppers, dipped greatness. So sloppy. Peppery, nice amount of heat from it all and/or the hot peppers. The cheese cup got on the side didn't add much or any to the roll, was better without but fine with. Saw someone get whatever their loaded fries are called and looked killer too...
Alyssa McGee
As a Chicago native I’m almost embarrassed to admit it took me 30+ years to try this place and I’m glad I did. Service was good and fast and the sandwich was divine. The beef was well flavored and melted in my mouth.
I’ll admit I grew up with the other beef spot that’s red and white but this might be my new favorite when I’m in town.
Michael Sparks
First time I had Al’s and it was great! Beef was seasoned well and got the bread just wet enough. We got it with sweet and hot peppers, definitely a must! A fantastic sandwich. We also tried the Chicago dog, that was great as well! Love all the toppings and just mustard is the only way to eat a hotdog! Don’t sleep on the fries either! Crispy and soft inside, great fries! They’re cash only but don’t let that stop you. Just great all around! Must try!
Billy Smerka Jr.
Had to have a Chicago OG at the Famous Al's #1 Italian Beef for my first trip to the Windy City. Stellar sandwich for anyone who enjoys a French dip but taken up a couple notches with spices and the spicy giardiniera.
James Hudson
It feels exactly like you'd want it to back in 1938. You walk into a small deli counter, order your Italian beef and sausage sandwich and fries with a soda. Pretty quickly I was in possession of the best sandwich I've had at a restaurant. Absolutely delicious and the fries were a pleasant surprise!
Shawn Belles
Seriously This place has it’s own ratings. No one does beef like Al’s The prep and the giardiniera wow. Yes it’s a greasy spoon or fast serve place. But it’s what I expect. Also fresh cut fries!!
Chris Escue
I’ve been wanting to come to this place for years and it didn’t disappoint after finally having it. While the hot peppers (giardiniera) was less spicy than expected the flavor of the gravy was amazing. Lots of herbal notes and juicy fat (in a good way!). Want to try more to compare now.
Eric Corrus
Deliciously, perfectly messy in the most spectacular way! Always a stop when I'm back in Chicago!
danicajhey
By far the best Italian beef sandwich I have ever had. Topped with giardiniera peppers and dipped! AMAZING fries! In the summer, you can also get Mario’s Italian ice which is located right across the street. Al’s has parking available off street and it's free!
joe williams
Al's on Taylor is a staple. I've been going to this location since I was 10. They never disappoint. They do hot dogs and beef well - enough said!
caroline “Carrie83” Little
Now it's hard to take a good photos of an Al's beef sandwich bit the flavours are just amazing!! I had it dipped in gravy with fries on the side and was one of the best sandwiches I have ever eaten! My mouth is watering even now just thinking about it!
If you are in Chicago, you gotta have an Al's beef sandwich!
K L
Al’s is a great place for Italian beef! Al’s Italian beef is very flavorful and one of the best Italian beefs in Chicago. I would also recommend getting the sandwich dipped. But be warned that if it's your first time, the sandwich will be a little messy. The hotdogs and fries are also a must-try! Also, keep cash on hand when ordering. It's a very traditional old school place and they don't accept credit or debit cards.
Melanie Mouzalas
We wanted to be sure to experience an Italian Beef while in Chitown so we turned to a native Chicagoan to ask for a recco and they directed us here and Al’s #1 did not disappoint! I wasn’t super hungry when I arrived, so I opted for the “diet beef” which is literally beef swimming in au jus in a cup. Deeeeeeelish! This is a down-and-dirty place and well worth a trip. My only disappointment was that I was not hungrier when we went to Al’s #1.
M. S
I was so mezmorized by this beef Sammy. Not a word was spoken during the ingestion. Next time I'd do without the pepper. A lot of fries were given. Got a sausage as well and it was great. Definately a stop next time I'm in town
Larnell Henderson
I spent $15.00 for a meal that was � My first time at Al’s beef will be my last. The restaurant was clean and the staff was nice but the food was nasty. The spices and seasonings they use in the beef and the Hot and Mild peppers were very bland and had no taste to it. I would have beef better off going to Portillos. The location is Nice but you gotta lower those prices if you want college kids to come in there because they were going to the Subway across the street. My food was hot and fresh just didn’t have any taste to it �
Jacotia Anae
Bullshit ass place I got an Italian beef n that shit nasty AF I would never go back or suggest this place to anyone I wouldn't even let my worse enemy go here
Mistie Shoemaker
The hubs and I went on a #foodnetworkroadtrip for our 10th anniversary. Our midway point was a conference in Chicago and we knew we had to stop here! Delicious! Will never be able to eat fast food beef again!
Virginia Dan
Stopped at Al's Beef just now and was totally grossed out and disappointed. Not by the food, but yes by the 'cleanliness'. My son and I walk in and there's a worker on top of the counter where you get your food on top of a few measly newspapers with a dirty rag and a spray bottle cleaning something up on the ceiling. Her shoes don't stay on the scattered newspapers so she steps all over the counter. She gets down and using the dirty rag that she used to clean whatever on the ceiling she uses it to take one quick swipe at the counter to 'clean it'. So I ask the manager politely if they have Lysol wipes or something else to clean the counter with and clearly annoyed he tells me she was on top of newspapers. So I say not the whole time (I was in line director in front of her/ the counter) and he says she wiped the counter afterward already and they'll wipe it later that night too. Wipe is clearly not the same definition as clean or disinfect after someone's street shoes have been all over a food counter and the single swipe is done with a dirty rag. No move to clean it at all. Gross and disappointing.
Marcia Decarlo
So dissatisfied and disappointed! Used to eat here a lot in the early 80s and back then the food was the best. Now, not good quality and different recipe for the beef juice. 👎🏻
Amanda Carvelli
Been coming here since I was in diapers. Now I bring my own kid here. 36 years and counting! Best damn beef you’ll ever have!
Brian Short
Whats this #1 CRAP, only thing good was the fries,, beef was tastless, food network did Als pay you good for that,,,beef was a joke
Kevin Rose
The best Italian beef sandwich and Italian sausage I've had
Pelo Hernandez
The experience I had was quite wonderful my beef was juicy my hotdog and fries were on point and after that I went across street and got me some Italian ice so I couldn't complain at all... great experience thank you very much al's
Beef👍🏼
Michael Ricedorf
The food is always the best and so is the service all the years I been going there now they added more talked to sit down that was much needed
Ryan Anderson
Worst beef ever hot peppers were terrible cleanliness of restaurant was poor. I've had frozen beef from grocery store that was way better.
Darnell Futrell
Best place to visit while in Chicago great food �
Stu Jacobson
Never met a beef Sandwhich I didn't like until today....2 sandwhiches and 2 pops 33 dollars....cash only with a broken atm machine. Service was garbage.... complete let down...
Lisa Arrasmith
This was amazing staff very nice too delicious food
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